AAAS CASE Workshop 2025: Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering

This April, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will be hosting its Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop in person in Washington, DC.

The workshop is an exciting opportunity for graduate students to learn about science policy and advocacy. The University of Virginia (UVA) plans to send a small cohort of graduate students to this entry-level workshop. An internal review process will select the University’s participants.  

Selected students will participate in the 3.5-day program in Washington, DC, to be held April 6-9, 2025. During the workshop, participants will learn about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations processes, and tools for effective science communication and civic engagement. In addition, students will participate in interactive seminars about policy making and communication. The registration fees and related travel expenses will be covered through the PhD Plus program.  

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 

• Students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program at UVA in one of the following fields during the Spring semester of 2025: 
  • Biological, physical or earth sciences
  • Computational sciences and mathematics
  • Engineering disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
  • Social and behavioral sciences
• Students who were selected and attended past CASE workshops under UVA's sponsorship are not eligible to reapply.  
• Students who applied in the past, but were not selected to attend the workshop are welcome to re-apply.
• Foreign nationals and permanent residents are eligible to participate.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:  

Applicants must compile and submit the following materials. 

• Eligibility acknowledgement

• Brief summary (250 words) of past science policy experience

  • The workshop is catered to graduate students with limited experience or knowledge of science policy and advocacy, and those who are interested in learning more about science policy. 
  • Please briefly summarize (less than 250 words) any prior professional experience or participation in science policy professional development opportunities (i.e., internships, workshops, bootcamps, seminars, panel discussions) such as those offered through PhD Plus, the Science Policy Initiative at UVA, and/or the Virginia Scientist-Community Interface, including the UVA Science Policy Bootcamp. 
  • Prior experience is not a prerequisite for selection and students with no experience are encouraged to apply.

• A one-page statement of interest (written by the student) that highlights and affirms:

  • Your interest in the topic of science policy and the potential impact of the CASE Workshop on your current academic program and/or future career goals
    • This may include building upon knowledge gained through courses, professional development programs, etc., or other motivation to gain insight and new perspectives related to science policy and advocacy. 
    • The past experiences do not need to be specific to policy, and prior science policy experience is not a prerequisite for selection
  • The applicant has no other prior commitments that will prevent them from attending and that they are available to attend the entire duration of the program, which will be held in person in Washington, D.C., April 6-9, 2025. (1-2 sentences at the end of the statement) 

• A one-page personal vitae or résumé

• An acknowledgement of support form 

  • Must be signed by either the faculty mentor or the department's Director of Graduate Studies
  • Click here to download the template 

To submit your application, click here.

DEADLINES:  

Application materials must be submitted no later than Friday, February 7, 2025.  Applicants will be notified no later than Friday, February 21, 2025.  

CONTACTS:

Samuel Lake, 434.924.3164, [email protected]

Phil Trella, 434.243.2018, [email protected]